Dragon fruit (Hylocereus spp.), also known as pitaya or the “dragon fruit,” is a perennial cactus plant native to Central and South America. There are different varieties of dragon fruit, including Hylocereus megalanthus, Hylocereus undatus, and Hylocereus costaricensis. Its fruit comes in striking pink or yellow color, with white, yellow, or pink flesh, depending on the variety.
Its commercial cultivation has spread worldwide due to several reasons:
- Easy propagation: Through cuttings, which is the fastest method and ensures lower genetic variability, resulting in a plant identical to the mother plant.
- Low water requirements and high hardiness.
- Growing demand due to its excellent nutritional value: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, rich in fiber, low in carbohydrates, immune system booster, among others.
- Good market prices.
The cultivation system chosen for dragon fruit production (net houses, plastic-covered structures, or open-field cultivation) depends on the local climate and the specific variety. It’s important to note that dragon fruit is native to tropical and subtropical regions.
In subtropical regions like Taiwan, the cultivation of white-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus ‘VN White’) in net houses or net-covered structures has numerous benefits:
- Acts as a physical barrier against certain-sized pests (beetles, bugs, flies, etc.), reducing their presence and the need for pesticides.
- Replaces the fruit bagging practice in open-field plantations.
- Protects against excessive solar radiation, thus reducing fruit sunburn.
- Significantly increases the average fruit weight without affecting sugar content and acidity.
- Promotes proper ventilation, preventing temperature increases, by using agricultural nets with sufficient porosity.
- Enhances better photosynthesis (prevents photoinhibition by reducing photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and increasing scattered light).
White-fleshed dragon fruit shoots are sensitive to high temperatures and intense sunlight during summer, making them susceptible to sunburn. This can reduce yield. The use of shade nets can help minimize sunburn and maximize fruit quality and yield during the natural reproductive period.
The skin coloration of white-fleshed dragon fruit is influenced by betacyanin formation (enhanced by high temperatures and high light intensity) and chlorophyll degradation (favoured by dark environments). Temperature and light also affect skin coloration. The balance between these two pigments determines the fruit’s color. Skin coloration in different species/cultivars can respond differently to shading.
The facility conditions and cultivation management are specifically tailored to the local climate and the cultivated varieties.
To learn more about the ideal nets for dragon fruit cultivation, contact us at info@greennetsagro.com.
Source: https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/ Net Houses Effects on Microclimate, Production, and Plant Protection of White-fleshed Pitaya. HORTSCIENCE 54(4):692–700. 2019